Hedgehogs in March by Kay Bullen (BHPS)

The flowers are confused; the birds are confused so I guess the hedgehogs will be too. Is it time to get up yet? Well some of the male hedgehogs would normally be awake this month but some of the others might wait longer. So whenever it is that they appear, early or late, we must be ready for them.

Is our garden safe for any visiting hedgehogs we may ask – check the BHPS’s website.  The Gardening ‘with’ Hedgehogs leaflet will warn you about some of the dangers in the garden, so perhaps you can get those dangers sorted out before we hit hedgehog season!

Make sure there is plenty of water to drink – you would be thirsty if you had not had a drink for several month and hungry of course. Can the hedgehogs move freely from your garden to your neighbours, have any “hedgehog highways” become overgrown or blocked? Any nest boxes that were definitely unused over the winter could be readied for any new lodgers.

I would not recommend putting a feeding station too close to any nest boxes.  If a female has her hoglets in a nest box she would not be happy about other hedgehogs coming close to her new family.  Nor would she be happy about any cats that might try their luck at the feeding station.  A few dry biscuits could be scattered, initially nearby, or even in the entrance of, an empty nest box but once occupied feed elsewhere. Remember the tip to place a small screwed up piece of paper in an occupied nest box entrance, when it is pushed aside you know a hedgehog has left the nest – but it may also have returned so do not disturb the box. 

Also please take a look at the new ‘Hedgehog Petition’ calling for greater legal protection of our prickly friends.

If you need advice or find a sick or injured hedgehog contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society they can give general advice and perhaps details of a local hedgehog rehabilitator that you can contact. If you are within 15 miles of Stansted Airport you can always contact us - details can be found on The Herts Hogline website.   

Hedgehogs in November - by BHPS

Hedgehogs will still be building up their weights for hibernation.  When will they actually hibernate?  The best answer to this question is - when they are ready.  Some may even be in hibernation now, others not until next month.  November seems to be the time when many will decide to hibernate.

I'm sure you'll remember from previous year’s publicity to take care when piling up leaves and garden waste ready for a bonfire – be it for Bonfire Night or just a general burn.  It's always best to move the pile on the day it is to be burnt, unless you have a special bonfire cage or bin that hedgehogs cannot access.

If you still have any small hedgehogs regularly visiting your garden you could catch them and check their weights.  Mark each one with a spot of nail varnish or quick drying paint on a few of their prickles (different hedgehogs can be marked in different places).  Then 4-5 nights later catch again and weigh – it must be putting on weight, if not it will need to be rescued.  Small hedgehogs will need help to get up to a hibernation weight.  However the help can range from just continuing to feed and monitor weights in your garden to being taken indoors and cared for. 

At the time of writing this I don’t know whether we're going to have an early cold winter or a mild one so it is difficult to give advice now on which hedgehogs need to be taken into care.  Obviously those out in the day are in trouble and need help.  For any other hedgehogs the best advice is to call a local hedgehog rehabilitator, they know the local conditions, but please, if possible, weigh the hedgehog before contacting a rescue centre as the weight helps them give the best advice.

It is not just the cold that is a problem for hedgehogs at this time of year but also the wet.  They need a dry place to make their nests and dry bedding with which to make the nest.  Providing dry bedding eg leaves – perhaps in a compost bag – will help them make a cosy nest.  Also protecting their food with a feeding station means they can feed in the dry.

If you need advice or find a sick or injured hedgehog contact us or the British Hedgehog Preservation Society who can give general advice (01584 890801).   For information about helping hedgehogs at this time of year visit the BHPS web site and go to the Autumn Juvenile leaflet.

Hedgehogs In October - by BHPS

Hedgehogs are trying to build up their weight for hibernation. They usually hibernate because the cold weather means there is less natural food around. Some may wake during hibernation, sometimes it may only be to change position or it may be to forage for food.

The best way to check whether a nest box is being used is to place a small screwed up piece of paper in the entrance during the day. When the hedgehog emerges the paper will be pushed out and you will know something has left the nest box.

You can help them to put on weight by either giving them a complete hedgehog food like Spike's Dinner or they can have mashed up, meat based dog or cat food mixed with a little cereal (Weetabix, bran or wholemeal bread) to give it some bulk. They can also have meat based cat biscuits, as these are good for the teeth. They will need a dish of water too, especially if dry biscuits are given.

When feeding hedgehogs you could make a feeding station - eg use either a
plastic mushroom box or child’s toy box or similar and cut a 13cm x 13cm (5”x5”)
hole in one of the short sides. Place this over the food, like a tunnel, and the hedgehog can get through the hole to the food but it keeps the cats out. A brick on top should stop the box being pushed aside. Another brick or large stone placed 13cm (5”) from the entrance should stop a cat lying down and hooking the food out with its paw! Another suggestion is to use a paving slab on some bricks (placed on their sides), leave a 5" gap between 2 of the bricks for an entrance. Always make sure there is a little food left in the mornings - if not, you are not feeding them enough.

When feeding in the winter a lot of food could be wasted. It may be best to offer dry food and provide plenty of water. As a trial, before winter sets in, provide one of the dishes of dry food with a saucer placed over it to protect the food. See whether your hedgehogs realise that by pushing the saucer off they will get at the food. This can be useful in the winter to protect/preserve the food and perhaps keep the water from freezing. By protecting the food in this way you should stop smaller creatures eg mice from getting at the uneaten food.

If you find a sick or injured hedgehog contact the BritishHedgehog Preservation Society they can give general advice and perhaps details of a local hedgehog rehabilitator you can contact.  Their phone number is 01584 890801. For information about helping hedgehogs at this time of year visit the BHPS website.